Buffon renews with Juventus until 2012!!

Buffon extends Juve deal
Thursday 7 June, 2007
Gigi Buffon has silenced the speculation over his future by signing a contract extension with Juventus until 2012.

The goalkeeper was seriously pondering a move away from the Bianconeri following their Serie A promotion, but he’s been tempted to stay by the club’s hierarchy.

“This is an important day for me,” said the World Cup winner, whose previous agreement was set to expire in 2011. “I have now written a new page in my career and my life.

“It’s a decision which is coherent to last year’s and it confirms my commitment to this team, club and the fans who have never stopped showing me their affection.”

The former Parma No 1, wanted by both Milan clubs, had warned that he would walk if the club couldn’t fight for major honours next season.

“The project which was presented to me is a convincing one because I believe that we can aim for the sporting targets which have been identified,” he added.

“It also creates the basis of a rapport which is now even more stimulating.”

Juventus have spent most of the last year trying to keep hold of the planet’s best shot-stopper and they are obviously delighted with this evening’s development.

“This agreement consolidates our faith in a great champion, a man who shares our thoughts and our values,” noted President Giovanni Cobolli Gigli.

“In these years Buffon has always worked hard with passion and professionalism, he’s always honoured our shirt with great performances.

“This signing comes just days before the end of the season and I’m sure it will be met by the enthusiasm of all Juve fans.”

Director general Jean-Claude Blanc is now hoping that Buffon’s decision to remain will be seen as an important signal for players and fans alike.

“Keeping Buffon was one of the most important points of our project for these next few years,” said the French official.

“The fact that a World Cup winning goalkeeper has faith in our sporting project is something to be proud of. He shares our ambitions.

“Gianluigi liked our articulated and innovative offer that not only places him at the centre of an important plan, but will also boost his image.

“For Juventus it is confirmation of the seriousness with which we are building a competitive squad for next season.”

No financial details of the ‘keeper’s new Bianconeri agreement have been released. Buffon joined Juve in 2000 from Parma in a £33m deal.

Great news!

IMO, the biggest legend in todays football

He should have won WPOTY last season, not Fabio.

bluenine wrote:IMO, the biggest legend in todays football

He should have won WPOTY last season, not Fabio.

After Maldini yeah.

Yup, Maldini has retired from intl football for quite a while now...

Forza Italia!Forza Milan! wrote:

bluenine wrote:IMO, the biggest legend in todays football

He should have won WPOTY last season, not Fabio.

After Maldini yeah.

bluenine wrote:Yup, Maldini has retired from intl football for quite a while now...

Forza Italia!Forza Milan! wrote:

bluenine wrote:IMO, the biggest legend in todays football

He should have won WPOTY last season, not Fabio.

After Maldini yeah.

Oh I thought when you said "in today's football" you meant all of football, not just international football.

I'm very happy for Juve.

Best Keeper in the world:

Great keeper but not a patch on Buffon.

I always knew you had a sense of humour Forza, but sometimes it's a bit too much..

A patch...

Target Man SSK wrote:I always knew you had a sense of humour Forza, but sometimes it's a bit too much..

A patch...

There's a simple way to solve this: common sense.

Im afraid Buffon benefits from all the hype that surrounded his big money move from Parma to juve, making him the most expensive keeper in the world.

Pity he's had no real challenge for the Azzurai gloves, and neither at Juve.

Certainly one of the greats no doubt, had a good world cup. But as far as club career he's been nothing special for the past couple of seasons, he's not made himself standout. Fair enough Juve had a great defensive record, but how much of that was down to likes of Emerson, Vieria and Juve's style of play not to mention the matches been fixed :wink:

Casillas would be superb if he had a good defence infront of him, hand on heart, without Casillas (and Ruud) we'd be struggling for a UEFA cup place.

if it weren't for Iker Real would have been fucked for the last few seasons

Target Man SSK wrote:Im afraid Buffon benefits from all the hype that surrounded his big money move from Parma to juve, making him the most expensive keeper in the world.

Pity he's had no real challenge for the Azzurai gloves, and neither at Juve.

Certainly one of the greats no doubt, had a good world cup. But as far as club career he's been nothing special for the past couple of seasons, he's not made himself standout. Fair enough Juve had a great defensive record, but how much of that was down to likes of Emerson, Vieria and Juve's style of play not to mention the matches been fixed

Casillas would be superb if he had a good defence infront of him, hand on heart, without Casillas (and Ruud) we'd be struggling for a UEFA cup place.

His price tag was warranted, however. The only weak point in Buffon's game, which I can discern, is his less than confident attitude when going for crosses. However, this seems to be an Italian affliction in general; they would rather punch than catch.

Other than that his shot-stopping qualities are, in my opinion, better than Cech's and Casillas's. Now, undoubtedly, Buffon has a phenomenal defence in front of him, but having watched him week in and week out even in Serie B, I can say I have never seen a goalkeeper like him.

I haven't watched enough of Schmeichel to be honest, so Buffon, for me, reigns supreme.

He actually did have quite a substantial challenge for the Azzurri gloves. During Euro2000, Toldo was simply immense, but when Buffon came back from his injury, he deposed Toldo--that's how much faith Italian coaches have had in Buffon.

Italy produces fantastic keepers. Peruzzi, Amelia etc. have all been in contention for the starting spot, but Buffon has pipped them each time.

Buffon is sick. I am sometimes in awe of his reflexes and the ability to close down the angles.

With that said Casillas is in my top 5 best keepers list.

Casillas is amazing, without him Madriz may have been playing the UEFA cup last season and this one as well. The only way to judge whose better would for Buffon to move to Madriz to see how he would do infront of a comedy defence.

You mean, making him BY FAR the most expensive gk in the world!!!

And as for no competition, thats just silly... I think the GK position is where the italians have the most depth and the highest competition... do you remember Euro2000? Buffon got injured, so Toldo stepped in?? And became gk of the championship and the year??? No competition, my foot. Toldo still holds the record of the second most expensive GK in the world.

During his days, Toldo >>>>> Cassillas, and I really rate Cassillas.... Pagluica >>>>> Toldo, Perruzzi >>>> Pagluica, and Buffon >>>>> Perruzzi. Thats how good he is. By the time he retires, Buffon will be among the top 5 gk's of all times, if not already. I already tate him above Zoff, and Zoff is usually considered among the top 3-4 of all time.

Buffon may not make as spectacular saves as a Toldo or a Schmiechel, but his consistancy is so much greater than these guys...

Those were the best £34M that Juve ever spent if you ask me.

I like Cassillas, great keeper, but come on!!!!! Not a patch on Gigi.

Target Man SSK wrote:Im afraid Buffon benefits from all the hype that surrounded his big money move from Parma to juve, making him the most expensive keeper in the world.

Pity he's had no real challenge for the Azzurai gloves, and neither at Juve.

Certainly one of the greats no doubt, had a good world cup. But as far as club career he's been nothing special for the past couple of seasons, he's not made himself standout. Fair enough Juve had a great defensive record, but how much of that was down to likes of Emerson, Vieria and Juve's style of play not to mention the matches been fixed

Casillas would be superb if he had a good defence infront of him, hand on heart, without Casillas (and Ruud) we'd be struggling for a UEFA cup place.

Only keeper which comes close to Buffon is Cech, but he is still young by goalkeeping standards.

Good to see Buffon extend his contract with Juve ..

but this is the BEST GK in the World ..

mihawkavelli wrote:Good to see Buffon extend his contract with Juve ..

but this is the BEST GK in the World ..

Buffon is the best in the world, get over yourselves. Then its Cech, and he's only 23

Good to see that Buffon has been rewarded for his loyalty, unlike some of the others who couldn't wait to abandon the sinking ship.

I honestly can't decide who is best, its difficult because to find the best you would have to expose them to the same risks. Cassillas for most of the time has a terrible defensive unit in front of him so therefore it makes him look worse by conceding more goals than he should. In the past Cech has had a great defensive unit in front of him so he is exposed far less than the Spanish keeper.

@ Ballack

Cech has just turned 25. Which is still young in goalkeeping terms.

At 23, Buffon was already considered the best GK in the world, and also the most expensive by a distance.

5 consecutive Serie A GK of the year awards, and Serie A is top notch when it comes to goalkeeping. The only goalkeeper to win the UEFA Club Footballer of the Year. And the only reason Cannavaro won the WPOTY and the Ballan D'Or over Buffon was coz he was the azzurri skipper... I never like to hype Juve players, but Buffon cannot be hyped, just like Maldini cannot be hyped.

I suspect that we have an all time great amongst our midst.

Cesc wrote:Good to see that Buffon has been rewarded for his loyalty, unlike some of the others who couldn't wait to abandon the sinking ship.

I honestly can't decide who is best, its difficult because to find the best you would have to expose them to the same risks. Cassillas for most of the time has a terrible defensive unit in front of him so therefore it makes him look worse by conceding more goals than he should. In the past Cech has had a great defensive unit in front of him so he is exposed far less than the Spanish keeper.

@ Ballack

Cech has just turned 25. Which is still young in goalkeeping terms.

Good points Bluenine, he does have an incredible array of awards and achievements to his name. Although I would never use a transfer fee as a benchmark for quality. Yes he did command the highest fee for a goalkeeper but Sergio Ramos is the most expensive fullback currently in football. I wouldn't call him the best fullback, although I do appreciate that he plays centrally too.

As for being a legend yes I would say that looks a high possibility. But there have been some true greats in the past too.

Gigi is one of my favourite players and i have nothing but genuine respect for the guy, despite the fact that he is a Gobbo. I guess he is one of those people in football that you can't help but admire...


and wish they were playing for your team

Buffon is one of Juve's legends

Great news for Juve that he has extended his contract. Loyal people like him, Nedved & Del Piero make every Juve fan proud.

Remind me of a keeper who has come on in a CL final whilst being a teenager and being instrumental in his team winning the final?

Casillas.

for me buffon is federer(sp) of football. he masters everything a goalkeeper should master. i would prefer casillas for Real every day of the week because i have no idea how buffon would react to such a bad defence for years and being the only one to perform almost for many years. but allround buffon is better and the best in the world.

supermadrid(zizou legend) wrote:for me buffon is federer(sp) of football. he masters everything a goalkeeper should master. i would prefer casillas for Real every day of the week because i have no idea how buffon would react to such a bad defence for years and being the only one to perform almost for many years. but allround buffon is better and the best in the world.

Target Man SSK wrote:Remind me of a keeper who has come on in a CL final whilst being a teenager and being instrumental in his team winning the final?

Casillas.

Broke van der Sars record for the youngest goalie to play in a CL Final

Casillas was 19 when he played that final v Valencia

and from what i saw , he had future potential

How many games for Real now ?

For me Buffon is undoubtedly the best all round keeper in football today. Just watching him, the way he positions himself, his handling of the ball, taught me many things I didn't even realise were important for goalkeepers to have.


Casillas is a fantastic shot stopper, with probably the best reflexes of anyone in the world. He makes more spectacular saves, which is why it sticks in people's memory. But Buffon is better at not allowing himself to get in the situation of having to make a big save to begin with.

Also, the point about Casillas doing well in the CL 3-4 years ago doesn't hold much weight with me (despite his age), because Madrid were a very tough team for anyone to beat at the time, and also had a good defence. In the past 3 years he has clearly done well and single handedly saved Madrid, but by that criteria, should we then also start comparing Shay Given to these others?

Cech of Chelsea is definitely up there as well - his biggest benefit is his size and already playing in a top league for a top team at such a young age. With experience he will get better and better, but since Kahn's drop post-WC 2002, and for probably a few years to come, it's Buffon Buffon Buffon.

allthough i agree that buffon is better all round i dont think casillas making great saves has much to do with his positioning but more to do with giving the ball away often at dangerous areas. but like i said for real madrid i think casillas is better.